I know an awful lot about photography... 35 years and counting! I keep up with tech and I use cameras to their full... but let me tell you - Mark Smith is so much better than all those other numpties out there professing to know anything about photography. He totally understands what the point of a camera is but at the same time understands every aspect of a modern camera and, more importantly, how to utilise it to YOUR needs. Mark is not interested in himself and how he does it (perfectly by the way) but is at pains to tell YOU what a camera can do for you. A camera is but a light-tight box. Listen to this man and you will understand what a light-tight box can do for you! Fantastic stuff Mark...

Lucky enough to just have my first A9 and this was a super helpful video - completely changed my setup, loving the focus zones and BBF. I know this is an older video and there are newer cameras but it’s still super helpful for us second hand camera amateurs! Thank you very much indeed.

6:50 best explanation on why to use back button focus. Never really knew why people used it until you explained it. Thank you Mark.

Got my a9 a few days ago after lots of research. Mark's instruction and techniques have really stood out in how clear and purposeful they are. Can't wait to try out these customizations in the field tomorrow. Thanks for the help, Mark.

This is still so relevant Mark, I cannot thank you enough! I had been struggling to set my a9 up for a bit now, but thanks to your clear step by step guild, I feel way more confident to use it properly, and I'm having fun again, instead of sitting down, scratching my head, wondering what to do. Thanks again!

Great job Mark the way you explain things is a joy to watch .Rob.

When you do videos like this Mark it really comes across how selfless you are and how much you will do to help your fellow photographers achieve better results through sharing your knowledge. Having owned the A7R3 now for about 6 months I was happy to see that I came to many of the same methods using area similar settings but a few of the things I were wishing for like a way to easily toggle between zone and center AF are right under my nose, I just didn't know how to set that up, huge thanks for going into such details. I also never though about rippling water giving AF problems but I was upset that many of my birds in flight over the water weren't tack sharp and it never occurred to me where I shoot is always windy (it's a saltwater bay) and that small bit made so much sense. The best video covering the Sony a9 in regards to wildlife photography to date, great stuff!

Best video I've seen in forever. My son just sent me his a9 to try out and this video set me up PERFECTLY for what I want to use it for. Couldn't be more grateful. Can't wait to watch more. Thanks Mark!

Just incredible! I’m shooting with a Sony a6400 But this video walked me right through set up and explained everything in such great detail! This is by far the best camera set up for wildlife photography that I have found anywhere. I appreciate Marks sincerity just trying to pass on the knowledge he has gained. Fantastic!

I have an A7M3 since 2018 , shot 50.000 frames with it so far, and this video taught me the most about it I have ever learned. Thank you so much!

Thank you sooo much Mark, for putting this together. I have set it all up now like you said and am going practice on my new A9. You are a saint! Love your Style.

Thank you ! Wow! Over an hour of setting up video. You are the man! Lots to set up and to remember on what is in custom setting! Thanks you for sharing your personal preferences. I picked up a few ideas to set up my a9. Look forward to meet you when you have seminar in Colorado...the colorful state.

Really have enjoyed this tutorial- have owned an a9 a couple years and still learning to optimize settings as my skills improve.- especially BIG.

Fantastic information. Thanks for your hard work 🙏👍📸

Mark, thank you very much for this video. Perfect for "us birders" and from a real practical point of view !

Really helpful video Mark! Really nice to see you talking about your settings and how you use them! More of this please :)!

I watched the entire video, very helpful. Thanks.

For reasons unknown to man I have completely missed this video, but it helped me utilize elements of my A6400 that I had been wanting to try. I think you are gem for the community of Sony bird and wildlife shooters, and I hope to be able to enjoy your content for years to come.

Very nice Mark , always a good idea to watch your videos one of the best.

Thank you sir!! I bought the Sony a9ii camera and followed your tutorial in order to set it up. I greatly appreciate your assistance. I have watched other podcasts and found yours the best!!!

Thanks for this excellent tutorial. I discovered all the functions this A9 has with you, Great job!

Your AF-ON / AEL custom system is genius! and makes sense, it's easy to remember too because of where those 2 buttons are located, I'm going to use this. Note: for the monitor on/off, I use myself the "Monitor off" setting in DISP, along with only one other display mode, so when I push UP, it will turn the monitor on and off, and I leave FINDER/MONITOR to auto, that way, I can choose to turn the monitor on and off, and it will remain in that state, and the EVF is behaving as usual (on when I look, off when I don't)

You make this so easy to understand. Thank you and your son so much.

This was very usefull. I have an A9 incomming, so I look forward to test this setup. But I do also look forward to see more bird photographing from you again. Inspiring!

Thank you Mark..took me two nights on my couch following this setup step by step. A good way to learn my new a9..( new to me ). I have been using Nikon gear after switching over from canon. The A9 will be replacing my nikon. D5..Thank you Mark... Great Job..

Thank you so much for sharing with us your knowledge. I love your work.

Mark you are the absolute best youtuber! Thanks for all of your hard work and for sharing your customer settings!

Hi Mark, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this video mate. Just got me an a9 and the 200-600 G. I watched your setup suggestions and followed them to the end. I still have heaps to learn and harder still to remember what each button does while out shooting. It will all come in time though. Yesterday I went to a sanctuary for a practice run and I am blown away by the wedge-tailed Eagle shots I got from this combo. I mean, I had tree branches in front of this bird while flying towards me and it just stayed focused on the bird. Mate, I owe you a beer when you come down under. Many many thanks again for your time and for sharing this information with those of us who just love capturing amazing shots. I now have a shot I might frame and when I walk past it every day I will think of you.

Mark Smith you are the BEST... Thank You for your OUTSTANDING Video... So HELPFUL and very well explained ... You are a great Teacher ... Nobody so far has really explained the Importance of getting to know Your Camera features and how to use each Function properly ... i'm a Beginner in Aviation Photography but found the importance of getting to know how to shoot Birds in their Flights to perfectionate my Skills ... the Sony A9 became my Camera by pure accident as the Shop i ordered a Sony A7 III by error sold it to someone while on my way to collect it , so being very professional they sold the A9 to me for the Price of my deal i already had with them for my ordered A7 III ... BEST Camera i ever had i my Life so far and do not even want to upgrade to the A9 II... thank you heaps for making that Video... You Nailed it

Mark, I just used this video to set up 2x BBAF types, zone and spot, and can’t thank you enough!! It’s a game changer!! Th🙏🏼nks 🙏🏼g🙏🏼in!!!

Thanks for all the advice, the A9 is my first DSLR and your video has helped me enormously in understanding this great camera.

Great work and thank you for this, really helpful.

Thank you for this, Mark. So grateful for these amazing tips. You are amazing!

Thanks for all your great videos.

With firmware version 6 it gets even better. Love my A9.

Very lucid, detailed and beautiful explanations that everyone must watch who are using the camera. Many many thanks. ❤❤

Thank you Mark for one of the best educational videos I have seen in any category. I bought my A9 as a second camera to my Canon DSLR - mainly for travel because of its size. I found the instruction manual complicated and until this video was disappointed with my results. Your video has transformed this camera into a phenomenal bit of kit which I now understand so much better. I am considering trading in my Canon gear and using Sony as my default. Wildlife photography, particularly birds in flight is my passion. I was previously happy with two or three sharp images from a sequence of many shots - that has changed completely. Thank you. Ospreys in Florida are now on my bucket list once the world settles down again!

Thanks for making this video. Great stuff as usual !!!

Great job Mark! I have had the A9 for 2 years and you still helped me with some settings. Thanks!

Awesome stuff. It's made my new A9 a breeze to operate! Thanks.

Awesome tutorial, super helpful to get started! Thanks!!

I have come back to this video for reference so many times ! I set up my alternate focus area on my lens button and not the button in the back because I am always mushing them with my face ! IF this was a tv show it would get an Emmy !

pretty sweet setup you have going there mark

Awesome !!! Thank you so much Mark !!

Thank you so much for sharing all of this knowledge! I only recently got into photography and just upgraded to the a9. Without these videos, I wouldn't know where to begin!

Thank you SO MUCH for this very comprehensive, helpful guide. I especially appreciated the step-by-step instructions regarding custom buttons and how to set them up according to the shooter's needs. My a9 is now set up with approx 98% of the settings you recommended and I'm anxious for the weather to clear so I can go out and try my new custom buttons. Thank you again for going to the trouble to help all of us regular folks!

Outstanding video Mark! Thank you so much. I use the same hardware and have just reset everything to align with this video. Can’t wait to get back out and shoot some more with these settings.

Some grey out functions are not because of RAW, but the electronic shutter. All what i can say is, you and the A9 working perfectly together!:)

Just switched over from an A77 to the A9 and this video was very helpful!

You sir, are a godsend!

Thank you Mark set my Sony A7iii up to most of your setting. but watching your tube l understand so much more about my camera thank you so much .

Really helpful video. Thank you very much Mark !!!

I found your style of teaching to be very informative, concise and extremely helpful especially as a new Sony user (formally Canon).

Super helpful, thank you!

Thanks Mark, excellent video, helped me set up my new A9 :-)

Amazing video Mark. I just received my A9 and the Sony 200-600mm lens today. I can’t wait to see what it can do now that it’s setup for wildlife & birds in flight.

So good, I just watched it a second time (took notes this time) Thanks Mark! Making me want to move to FL.

Excellent simple video.

Wow. Great video thank you Mark.

Nice comprehensive video on your A9 settings! Great work.

Thank you Mark. Happy to see ur latest video sponsored by Sony. 👍

Another great video, great work

Thanks Mark, I've been loving the A9 for over a year but when using zone I get great focus as something like an eagle dives to the water and then focus switches to the ripples in water just in front of the bird.. I think the last 3 mins of this video has given me the answer I need.. I had considered moving the zone to the top of the finder but I think using the smaller tracking focus area will probably make more sense.. thanks in advance.. great video full of info

Great video and well explained!

Fantastic video Thanks very much.

Hi Mark - Just got myself an A9ii, i found your video incredibly helpful in getting it set up and didn't even know about the dual focus area etc, thanks very much!!! Off out to try it out now ....

Mark, even though I don’t use Sony, I thoroughly enjoyed your video on setting up the Sony A9. Your knowledge of this Sony model is encyclopaedic! Excellent video. Alun

Always the best from you, TFS

Hi enjoyed the video very much. I am a Silver Surfer from the UK. I am using a Sony A6400 with the new 200mm- 600mm and have applied most of your settings for the A9 to the A6400 and has improved the combination of lens and camera. I am going to a military air display at the weekend weather permitting. I will be looking at the results. With adapters, I also run Canon and Nikon lenses with full functionality on the A6400. Expensive but cheaper than changing my whole gear. Went for Sony native lens for its lightness. I hope to see a similar video on the A6400.

awesome stuff! thanks for sharing.

FN Button always getting in the way.. Too funny!! Awesome video! I've watched several times as I await my A9 This weekend. Also purchased your ebook to support your efforts by making these videos. Thanks so much!

Top man well done very helpful big help 👍

Great info! I don't have anything on the Sony line, but I'll be sure to share this with anyone who'd like to start shooting with the A9!

Circ. of Focus Point, I think you'll find it useful: It lets the focus point/focus area come round through the other side when you reach the end of one side of the screen. Instead of a hard stop at the end of the screen, your focus point will "circulate" through to the other side.

Mark - this is great! You are an amazing teacher. I have an a9 coming tomorrow and I’m half way through your video and so glad I’m watching it. It will help so much. I’m coming from canon and was using the 7d (Mark one). Based on your videos I’m expecting a pretty big improvement. Thank you again for this video. Btw I also love the videos of you capturing wonderful images of the birds. Not only are the images fantastic but the commentary is great too.

Thanks Mark, very useful, I've downloaded the book!

Mark I just got the A7R4 your walk through works with it also ! Thanks bud , you rock

I amazed myself by watching the whole hour+ but it was really worth it, even just for the Reg. AF Area+AFOn tip alone never mind the other great tips. Awesome !

Thx for the Register AF Area setting, very useful.

Nice Taylor 12-string in the background. I have an 855e of my own from 1981. Really good guitar.

man this is so great!! everytime i get a new camera body (i go though a lot) i come back here for my auto tracking/zone two button focus!!! you rule brother!!!

This is one of three similar videos Mark has put out explaining how to configure the D850, the D500, and the A9. I own and use a D850 and an A9, and I can't praise both videos highly enough. Bird photography is quite different from, say, landscape photography. Mark is highly skilled in bird photography and has spent countless hours learning how to use the unique capabilities of each camera system. The video here is much, much more than just how to make an A9 look like a D850 or vice versa. He is ideally placed to understand and use the differences. These videos are also downloadable as E-books for ridiculously low fees. Expect to watch this video several times, with real outdoors practice between viewings.

Thank you Mark for putting this video together! I just received my new A9 this week and without this video I would have had no idea where to start. Now I'm going out to try to find some birds to shot. Ps; I purchased the E-book as well for later reference. Thanks again

Hey Mark, your video is systematic and packed with great information. Many thanks for your efforts. I would suggest that you include page numbers on your ebook.

Mark thanks for a great video. Although I purchased an A7M3, it shares many of the same features as the A9 and thus much of what is presented in this video can be used with the A7M3. Previously I've set my camera up similar to what many wedding photographers do and being one that tends to shoot more outdoors I found myself often out of focus when using the lens maximum focal length shooting outdoors. By setting up using the Customs buttons in a similar fashion and disabling the 1/2 shutter focus I find that I'm hitting those shots and being IN FOCUS now. Again thanks for a great video and all your content as your birding photography is excellent.

Mark, I just received my a9II and want to thank you for helping sort this out. I have a good friend (AP photographer) who talked me into switching to Sony after using Nikon for the past 47 years. I tried to wade through other videos on how to set the camera up (along with my friends suggestion) but the fact is the camera is so complicated I really screwed stuff up. That be said, I'm not an idiot...I was the first person on our staff to go digital back in 1999 and used D1,D2,D3, D4's, D500, D750 and the D850....but they were small potatoes compared to the Sony. I followed along with your video and hopefully things will turn around for me. There are a couple of new wrinkles since your video but I think the only one that a confused me was the monitor off button. That option isn't there anymore since they have some new voodoo that turns the monitor off automatically when the camera 'sees' your not looking at it. (And yes! It is voodoo!) Anyway, I look forward to following you since the main reason I bought the system is for shooting birds (since I retired from photojournalism). Thanks again for your work.

Excellent technical stuff, Mark. Into areas I've been too scared to enter. Thanks!

Soooo Helpful

Thanks a lot, helped me to setup my new A7III very fast ;-)

Your videos persuaded me to move to Sony. This video has helped more than I can say in that move. Superb content and advice. I have bought the e-book as a small token of appreciation for all your hard work in putting this together.

Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to make all your amazing videos. Must be difficult to find the time to do it when you have a busy schedule of work, but somehow you still manage to make the time to produce great tutorial videos. I know you did this tutorial a while back. I was just wondering since progressing on to the A1 and having a lot more experience with the Sony range of cameras is there anything you would change now to the settings in this Sony A9 Bird In Flight / Wildlife Photography Setup and Usage Guide to maybe make things better from a user perspective or would you still maintain all the same configuration changes you made in this video guide? - Many Thanks

Hey Mark , not sure if you’ll see this but just want to say thanks again for excellent video ( i know this is 2 years old ) but I just got the Alpha 1, I used your settings on the A9 , A9ii and now A1 ( different menu layout ) I always rewatch when I struggle finding something, I primarily shoot BIF .

Circle the focus point on will make the point, when reaching let’s say the right side of the screen lope and reappear on the left side on the screen.

Great Video I learned so much. may the Lord Bless you as you continue to share your skills.

I have a Sony Cybershot RX10 Iv and I have been looking for help with the proper settings for bird photography. It’s not the same camera but it has a lot of the same menu functions. Your video has been very helpful. Thank you!

By the way great video!

Just acquired the a9 and this is a wonderful video to accompany the ebook which I purchased and went through first. Really helped to bring things together. I didn't use all the suggested settings but did many and learned a few things that I believe will help with my R3 as well. I do set my BBF just opposite of what you suggested because it's what I'm used to. I use the AEL for my BIF settings/focus which is tied to Recall Custom Hold 1. Question, is zone focus what you use for BIF primarily? Thanks for the great learning tools.

Best camera settings for Sony I’ve seen. (And I’ve watched countless hrs) I own the a7iii with 4 lenses. Especially excited about using your settings with my new Sony 200-600 on Lake Coeur d’Alene, ID December 4th. (I live in Wash State) Bald Eagles will hopefully be constant & be btn 200-400. Fingers crossed. Have you done a video showing your birds in flight photos and camera settings for those? I realize each day will be different because of what mother nature gives you for lighting, but I think it may guide amateurs in the right direction. THANKS!

thank you! wow!

Wow, now THIS in the video I've been truly hoping you make. Actually going out to shoot sundown light now and will finish later but had to leave a comment of appreciation. On that subject of menus (I got to there) I too do not understand why so many people bash sony for them being convoluted or complicated, to me they also make good sense. I think because there are so many options that may confuse. Will all the customization I rarely need to dig into menus and if I don't have a button for something I generally put that function in the quick menu. Anyways, out to see if the local heron is around and wants his portrait taken :)